One of the most common places to find asbestos is in building materials. Asbestos was widely used in building materials because of its fiber strength and fire resistance. Among the many building materials where asbestos can be found are popcorn ceilings. Popcorn ceilings are those ceilings with uneven texture. Since asbestos is a dangerous substance that can cause several illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer, you may be wondering how you can tell if your popcorn ceiling contains asbestos. You may be wondering whether popcorn ceilings that contain asbestos are safe and how to remove asbestos popcorn ceilings.
How to Tell if Your Popcorn Ceiling Contains Asbestos
Asbestos fibers are so tiny and cannot be seen by the naked eye. You should not touch your popcorn ceilings to check if it contains asbestos. So, how can you tell if your popcorn ceilings contain asbestos? Your house's age is one of the biggest identifiers of whether your ceilings are asbestos-contaminated. Do you live in a house that was built before the 1980s? If you do, and the ceilings were put together when the house was being built, there is a high chance your popcorn ceiling contains asbestos. This is because it was not until the 1970s that studies started showing adverse health effects related to asbestos-contaminated material, meaning many houses built before the 1980s were constructed with asbestos-containing materials. If your ceiling is old, getting a professional to test it for asbestos may be a good idea.
Are Asbestos Popcorn Ceilings Safe?
Asbestos does not pose any danger if it is left undisturbed. It is when asbestos is disturbed that it becomes extremely dangerous. Anyone who breathes in asbestos fibers risks developing mesothelioma or another illness.
If the popcorn ceilings in your house are in good condition, there is likely nothing to worry about. On the other hand, if there is wear and tear on your ceilings, you need to act fast. Your ceilings may be releasing dangerous asbestos fibers into the air. You and the other people in the house could be inhaling asbestos fibers.
Removing Asbestos-Contaminated Popcorn Ceilings
After determining that your popcorn ceilings contain asbestos, you may consider removing them. This is a smart decision. However, do not attempt to remove asbestos-containing popcorn ceilings on your own. You should hire asbestos removal experts and let them handle the removal.
Tips for Dealing With Asbestos-Contaminated Popcorn Ceilings
As mentioned already, after learning that your popcorn ceilings contain asbestos, do not try to remove the ceilings on your own. The following are some other tips for dealing with asbestos-contaminated popcorn ceilings;
- Don't use nails or screws in the ceilings
- Don't throw things at the ceilings
- Don't touch or scrape the ceilings
- Don't use bunk beds if a room has asbestos-contaminated popcorn ceiling
Arizona Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced Arizona mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.
